As Long As I Can Breathe (RED Series 1)

Chapter 33

Chapter 33
Brother

Kinakabahan siyang tumingin sa'kin.

Nablangko ako.

My mother? The woman who gave birth to me? The woman who left right after I was born? The reason why my sister got depressed? The woman who had no heart to leave her family and her newborn baby?

"I... gathered some info..." Kinalikot niya ang dalang cellphone at ibinigay ito sa akin.

"It's a birthcertificate of your friend... Quiel, is it? Her biological mother is Saskia... that makes him your brother..."

Tinitigan ko lang ang copy na binigay niya sa akin. My face remained emotionless.

"I'm sorry kung sa tingin mo nanghihimasok ako... pero kasi, nabanggit ni Hiro na siya ang step mother ni Cyd. Ezequiel is one year younger than you, it means, your mother gave birth to him one year after she left the mansion."

Napahawak ako sa counter. Lumapit siya sa akin. She looked at me worriedly.

"Are you okay, Shek? I-it's okay, I'll just continue this tomorrow—"

Umiling ako. "No. Wait. I'm okay. Does he know?" Tumingin ako sa kanya.

"Who?"

"Ezequiel... does he know?"

She shooked her head sadly. "No."

I took a deep breath. Tinuro ko ang pinto.

"Call Raylee... please." I feel like all my energy drained. This is too much information.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "No! I mean... he doesn't know, Shek. Wala siyang alam dito. First because he doesn't go here that often... and second, I want you to know first than anyone else."

"Can I have the original copy of his birth certificate? And where is she now? This woman?" Ibinalik ko sa kanya ang cellphone.

"We can't have the original. Just the xerox copy. Is that okay?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"Saskia is in Manila, Shek. If you want to see her, she'll go home anytime this week with her husband."

Tumawa ako. Natigilan siya.

"Of course, they are married. I bet she didn't visited my father's funeral."

"Are you mad?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya. "Of course, Raquizah. Have you read in that journal that her absence is the reason why my sister got depressed? It's heartbreaking. I could've done something about it!"

She disagreed. "You were young, Shek. And Arquinah is so great when it comes to hiding her feelings. Hindi mo malalaman na may problema siya unless siya mismo mag sabi sa'yo."

Tumango ako. She's right. My sister doesn't want to share her burden with anyone. She's that kind. 

"Will you tell him the truth?"

"Quiel? Probably."

May pumasok na maid. Cook yata dahil may dalang isang bowl ng kare kare. Ngumiti at dumaan ito sa harap naming dalawa at inilagay ang bowl malapit sa stove. Napatingin ako kay Raquizah. Kumunot ang noo ko nang sumama ang mukha niya at mukhang masusuka. Bigla siyang tumakbo sa malapit na washroom. Sinundan ko siya at hinimas ang likod niya. I held her hair as she spit her vomit down the sink.

"Damn it. What happened to you?" Napangiwi ako.

Mga ilang minuto pa ay nakatayo na rin siya. She washed herself and wiped her mouth with tissue.